I had the pleasure of interviewing Perrineau this week and we talked about how France’s economic crisis and Sarkozy’s inability to do something about it is one of the main reasons why the French people have had enough of him. The political scientist explained that this change of heart will likely lead many French voters to express their discontent with the current ruling party by voting for the opposition (meaning François Hollande) on election day.

However, even if the French people seem ready to vote, perhaps more than ever, for the Left, we must also take into account the fact that these presidential elections in France are very different from any others in the history of France, Perrineau said. What sets these elections apart from any other is precisely the mix of the economic crisis, combined with international pressure.